The Government today said relevant departments responded promptly to flooding and landslides in various areas of Hong Kong, making every effort to minimise the impact of the persistent rainstorm.

It also reminded the public to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and traffic reports as the city is affected by another band of intense thundery showers. 

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) activated its Emergency Control Centre this morning and deployed emergency response teams to proactively inspect locations prone to flooding, including the areas of Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O.

As the rain intensified, the DSD deployed additional manpower to handle flooding cases and clear the drainage channels across the city, which involved over 160 emergency response teams comprising about 600 people.

By 7.30pm, all 16 flooding cases, including 12 in Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O, were resolved. All cases were successfully handled within one to two hours upon receipt of reports, and the affected roads have mostly resumed normal operation.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office's (GEO) Emergency Control Centre under the Civil Engineering & Development Department also began operation promptly after the Hong Kong Observatory issued a landslip warning.

By 7pm, the GEO had received a total of 15 landslide reports in Sai Kung. It immediately carried out inspections at the reported locations and arranged necessary slope emergency works.

One of the landslide cases occurred in Clearwater Bay Country Park above the Tseung Kwan O Stage II Restored Landfill. The Environmental Protection Department instantly deployed manpower and excavators to clear the debris and divert rainwater to nearby catchwaters or stormwater drains, thereby alleviating the flooding pressure in Tseung Kwan O.

The Highways Department’s (HyD) Emergency Control Centres co-ordinated the handling of road emergencies, including clearing roadside gullies blocked by muddy water and debris in some areas in Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O where landslides and flooding occurred.

Given the quick response of the DSD, the Transport Department (TD), the HyD and Police, most of the roads in Sai Kung district closed earlier today due to severe flooding reopened in a short period of time and traffic resumed normal.

The TD’s Emergency Transport Coordination Centre also escalated to a higher level to closely monitor the traffic conditions across the city, while maintaining close liaison with relevant government departments and public transport operators, and providing timely information to the operators for appropriate operational arrangements.

By 7pm, the Fire Services Department had handled 25 reports of Person Being Shut in Lift and 71 reports from automatic fire alarm systems as well as evacuated 14 people.

By 8pm, the Government had received 22 reports of fallen trees with no injuries.

The Government urged citizens to stay away from slopes when landslip warnings are in effect or during heavy rain. They also should not go near or stand under trees, as well as avoid visiting country parks.

The Home Affairs Department opened nine temporary shelters for people in need. In Sai Kung, 12 District Services & Community Care Teams participated in the coping measures under the heavy rain, including being on duty at the shelters to assist those in need.